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** 3 February 2025
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** UK
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** Supermarkets criticised for promoting heated tobacco products (#1)
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** Blair’s support for tobacco firm deal raises concerns (#2)
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** NHS clinic helps teenagers quit vaping (#3)
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** Concerns rise over nicotine pouches targeted at children (#4)
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** UK
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** Supermarkets criticised for promoting heated tobacco products

Sainsbury’s and Morrisons have come under scrutiny for displaying marketing and promotions for Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), which the Chartered Institute of Trading Standards (CTSI) suggests are in breach of the law. The retailers and tobacco industry argue that the regulations banning tobacco promotion do not apply to HTPs, as they do not involve combustion. There is limited evidence on the harms of HTPs, it is likely that because the tobacco is not combusted they are less harmful than cigarettes but current evidence suggests that they are more harmful than e-cigarettes, which do not contain tobacco. In 2018, then health minister Steve Brine stated that promoting HTPs was prohibited and urged manufacturers to stop. The manufacturers then agreed to suspend promotion, which they now argue was only temporary.

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, condemned the supermarkets’ actions, calling them irresponsible and warning that such promotions could encourage young people to try tobacco while increasing the burden on enforcement agencies.

Source: BBC News, 1 February 2025

See also: ASH - Briefing on the tobacco industry and their tactics ([link removed])

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** Blair’s support for tobacco firm deal raises concerns

Newly released government files reveal that Tony Blair was thanked by British American Tobacco (BAT) after backing its bid to acquire an Italian state-owned tobacco company in 2003. A memo from Blair’s private secretary advised him to express support for BAT’s bid during a meeting with Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi at a high-profile wedding. Shortly after the deal was secured, BAT’s chief executive personally thanked Blair for his intervention. The files also highlight the involvement of senior UK government officials.

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, condemned the revelations, stressing that a prime minister should not concern themselves with the commercial interests of tobacco companies. Blair’s representatives stated he does not recall the conversation but defended his support for British businesses.

Source: The Times, 3 February 2025
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** NHS clinic helps teenagers quit vaping

Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool has opened the first NHS clinic in England aimed at helping 11- to 15-year-olds quit vaping. The clinic is a response to rising nicotine dependence among younger teens, with tailored treatments designed to address individual needs, including nicotine substitution and behavioural support. The service is particularly significant due to the limited evidence about vaping’s effects on young people. One of the main challenges is dealing with illegal vapes, some of which are found to contain dangerous substances like synthetic cannabinoids.

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, stressed that this initiative will provide vital information on how to support young people in quitting vaping and prevent relapse into smoking.

Source: The Guardian, 3 February 2025
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** Concerns rise over nicotine pouches targeted at children

Nicotine pouches, which can contain varying levels of nicotine, are being marketed to children in the UK, according to campaigners. These flavoured products are sold in brightly coloured packaging, and are being sold without age verification as they do not contain tobacco. With the government's focus on vaping regulation, these products are escaping scrutiny, raising fears they could become a replacement for vapes among younger users once disposable vapes are banned. Campaigners have called for urgent regulation of these high-strength pouches, warning that they pose significant health risks, especially for children.

Source: Daily Mail, 31 January 2025

Editorial note: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will take comprehensive powers to control all nicotine products, including nicotine pouches. The Bill will allow the government to control the strength of pouches as well as implement an age limit making it illegal to sell them to anyone below 18. The Bill will also regulate the promotion of these products, limiting their appeal to children and young people. Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, gave the following quote to King’s College London earlier this year:

“Nicotine pouches are less harmful than smoking and if used as an alternative to smoking can be positive for public health. However, in the absence of appropriate regulation there has been widespread promotion of products, targeting youth orientated events and venues. This has likely contributed to the disproportionate increase in use among younger people. The planned regulations in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill should address these loopholes in the law.”

See also: King’s College London - Nicotine Pouch Use in Great Britain at 1% in Youths and Adults as government plans to regulate ([link removed]) | ASH - The Tobacco and Vapes ([link removed]) Bill ([link removed])
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.

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